Effects of estradiol on depressive-like behavior of ovariectomized rats and its possible mechanism

SU Xiao-Yun; HE Ji-Ping; CUI Jian-Mei; SHI Xian-Feng; MEN Jie

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2023.01.005

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Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (1) : 36-41. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2023.01.005

Neurobiology

Effects of estradiol on depressive-like behavior of ovariectomized rats and its possible mechanism

SU Xiao-yun¹ HE Ji-ping^2* CUI Jian-mei³ SHI Xian-feng⁴ MEN Jie²

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Abstract

Objective To examine the effect of estradiol (E2) treatment on ovariectomy (OVX) induced depressive-like behavior and possible mechanism by measuring inflammatory biomarkers levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in amygdala nucleus. Methods Thirty nine healthy adult female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (SO), ovariectomized group (OVX) and ovariectomized estradiol treatment group (OVX + E2). After 6 weeks of E2 treatment, depressive like behavior was evaluated by opening field test (OFT) and sugar water preference test (SPT). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in amygdala were measured by ELESA, and the expression of BDNF in rat amygdala was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The result of the SPT showed that OVX significantly decreased the sugar intake and sugar preference rate of rats, and E2 treatment significantly increased sugar water intake and sugar water preference rate of rats. The result of the OFT showed that OVX significantly decreased the numbers of crossing and rearing of rats, and reduced the time spent in the centre; E2 treatment significantly increased the numbers of crossing and rearing of rats, and prolonged the time spent in the centre. ELESA and immunohistochemical analysis found the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in amygdala increased significantly, while the average absorbance(AA) of BDNF in the amygdala reduced significantly (P<0.01 respectively) of rats in OVX group when compared with the SO group. And the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in amygdala decreased significantly (P<0.01 respectively), while the AA of BDNF increased significantly (P<0.05) in the amygdala of rats in the OVX+EX group when compared with the OVX group. The difference was statisticaly significant. Conclusion E2 treatment improved depression-like behavior of OVX rats is partly due to increased anti-inflammatory and activated the BDNF expression in amygdaloid nucleus, thus enhancing the neuroprotective effect of OVX rats.

Key words

Estradiol

/ Depressive behavior / Amygdaloid nucleus / Inflammatory factor / Brain-derived neurotrophic factor / Immunohistochemistry / Rat

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SU Xiao-yun HE Ji-ping CUI Jian-mei SHI Xian-feng MEN Jie. Effects of estradiol on depressive-like behavior of ovariectomized rats and its possible mechanism[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2023, 54(1): 36-41 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2023.01.005

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